Monday night, we headed to Hamilton Live for the kickoff to this year's RAMMYs season. We snapped Foodservice Monthly managing editor Lisa Keathley with the Commemorative Air Force's Dick Koenig, RAMW board member and Guest Services' Kristin Rohr with fellow board bember and gala chair, Clyde's Restaurant Group's David Moran.

Presented by the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington, The RAMMY Awards Gala honors the exceptional ability and accomplishments of the hard-working individuals and organizations of the region’s restaurants and foodservice community. Here the Embassy of Chile's Maria Jose Cuesta and Chilean Trade Commissioner Rodrigo A. Contreras with the large variety of Chilean wine they had on hand. 

During the nominations party, guests enjoyed food and cocktails from the best new restaurant and cocktail program nominees. Here board member and Compass Rose's Rose Previte and members of her team, Travis Mager and James Morland. Compass Rose is nominated for Casual Restaurant of the Year.

Here, the Mindful Restaurants team: Marilyn Calza, Saji Rragami, head chef and restaurateur Ari Gejdenson and Stacy Gejdenson. Ari has been nominated as Restaurateur of the Year.

Think Food Group's Sam Chapple-Sokol, Canon Hirschler, Jessica Vince, Michael Doneff and Ellen Kaplan. TFG had several nominations, including barmini's Cocktail Program of the Year, and minibar's Wine Program, Service Program, and Formal Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year.

The winners will be announced at the 35th Annual RAMMY Awards Gala on Sunday, July 30, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Here, Bar Pilar's and Employee of the Year nominee Heather Berry joins Julip Public Relations' Brittany Garrison and Bar Pilar's Jonathan Fain.

Travis Holler contributed to this issue.